The Texas Transportation Commission has recently announced that it plans to spend $1.3 billion to reduce traffic congestion on some of Texas’ busiest roadways. TxDOT will be directing funds for 14 roadway projects to relieve gridlock traffic conditions around the five largest Texas cities: San Antonio, Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, and Houston. While TxDOT regularly allocated funding for state road improvement projects, the size of this announcement is unusual.

According to a member of the Texas Transportation Commission, Texas drivers are on average losing as much as $1,200 a year and approximately 52 hours being stuck in traffic. The new plan is not only aimed at alleviating this problem, but also may have the potential to promote job creation and business growth if metro-area roadways are less clogged.

So far, $210 million has been set aside to improve the I-10 in Houston, and another $262 million is going toward relieving congestion on parts of U.S. 67 and I-35 in Dallas. An additional $148.6 million will go towards different projects on the I-35 in Austin, parts of which are considered by TxDOT to be one of the top 100 most congested roadways in Texas.

TxDOT is allocating vast resources into this project because these cities are home to two-thirds of Texas’ total population, with 99 percent of Texas’ Top 100 congested roads located in and around the state’s five major cities. The goal is to get these projects off the ground as soon as possible to show Texans that the department is serious about relieving crowded roadways.

Read more about this announcement online via the Texas Tribune.

Texas drivers familiar with driving in traffic know that crowded roadways can increase the chance of an auto accident. If you or a loved one have been hurt as a result of a traffic collision, turn to The Daspit Law Firm as soon as possible for trusted legal counsel. To see if you have a case, contact us today by filling out a brief online form and we will get back with you promptly.